Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2010.2 |
Object Name |
Medal |
Title |
Benjamin Franklin Medal in Physics |
Date |
1969 |
Description |
Awarded to Dr. John A. Wheeler by the Franklin Institute in 1969. Obverse: profile portrait of Benjamin Franklin with "FRANKLIN MEDAL" around perimeter. "Founded in MCMXIV by Samuel Insull" at bottom. Reverse: "AWARDED BY THE FRANKLIN INSTITUTE TO JOHN ARCHIBALD WHEELER 1969 FOR SIGNAL + EMINENT SERVICE IN SCIENCE"; branch with leaves and berries throughout text. |
Label |
The Franklin Institute was founded in 1824 to provide science training for mechanics and artisans, and it awarded medals and certificates in a variety of natural science fields for innovation, impact on research, or benefit to the public. John Archibald Wheeler was a professor and physicist, perhaps best known for coining the term "black hole" at a New York conference in 1967. After receiving a PhD in physics from Johns Hopkins University, Wheeler worked at Princeton University from 1938 to 1976 and at the University of Texas from 1976 to 1986. He helped make Princeton the center of research on gravity and Einstein's theory of relativity. Part of the Manhattan Project to build an atomic bomb during World Word II, he continued to do work for the government, including on missile defense. Wheeler collaborated with Niels Bohr and Robert Oppenheimer and inspired a younger generation of physicists. |
Material |
Gold |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of Dr. James E. Wheeler, 2010. |
Search Terms |
20th century twentieth century award scientist Founding Father |